Limestone Uses

Is named Limestone to the natural material formed mainly by Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃). It is the most prominent source of Calcium, both at an industrial and food level. It is one of the most abundant compounds in nature, and its mineral form is called Calcite.

When Calcium Carbonate is obtained by precipitation from cold solutions, the precipitate consists of calcite crystals; On the other hand, obtained from hot solutions, the less stable Aragonite form precipitates.

AC⁺² + CO₃^-2 -> CaCO₃

By passing Carbon Dioxide through lime water, Calcium Carbonate first precipitates; but an excess of gas redissolves it, originating the Bicarbonate.

When natural waters of temporary hardness lose Carbon Dioxide (when reaching the surfaces underground caverns and reduce the pressure to atmospheric), stalactites and stalagmites.

The various forms of Calcium Carbonate find numerous applications in industry. Limestone is used as building material, on the glass making, on metallurgy as flux, Y to obtain lime and calcium cyanamide. The marble serves as an ornamental element in the building and for statuary.

Pearls are made up of calcium carbonate, deposited by oysters, clams, etc.

Limestone Applications

Lime production: Limestone is the raw material in the production of lime. As Calcium Carbonate, it is subjected to calcination by means of powerful furnaces that bring it to temperatures of approximately 1000 ° C. These high temperatures will cause it to chemically disintegrate into Calcium Oxide (CaO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO₂). The reaction is as follows:

Thief₃ -> CaO + CO₂

Glass manufacturing: Limestone, in a fine granulometry, is added to the glass-making process, to give the material a better hardness. Its internal structure will be organized in a more orderly way, giving it more stability and a more regular geometry.

Metallurgy: In metallurgical processes, finely ground limestone helps melt metals more quickly. That is why it is assigned the name of flux. The advantage of using limestone is that not as much fuel is used to heat the cast iron pans.

Interior decoration: Arrangements of marble, one of the forms of limestone, are used to build benches, chairs, and surfaces to decorate home and hotel interiors.

Outdoor decoration: Marble, a form of limestone, is used in the manufacture of fountains and planters. They give an elegant appearance to gardens, hospitals, hotels.

Sculpture: Limestone is a great material for the art of sculpture. It is characterized by its great hardness and chemical resistance. It does not retain much moisture and is very stable. It lasts for many years preserving its worked shape.

Chemical reagent: Limestone works as an alkaline reagent, in aqueous solution. It is capable of neutralizing traces of acidic substances in water.

Building: Limestone is used in construction thanks to its great hardness in its natural state. Resistant walls are created by stacking rocks of this material, joined with cement.

In Drinking Water: When a water is very low in minerals, Calcium Carbonate can be added to it to make it slightly alkaline. The presence of Calcium Carbonate in Water is called “Water Hardness”.

In Agriculture: A little limestone is added to fertilizers, as a source of calcium for good growth of plant species.

10 Examples of Limestone Uses

1. Lime production
2. Glass manufacturing
3. Metallurgy
4. Interior decoration
5. Outdoor decoration
6. Sculpture
7. Chemical reagent
8. Building
9. In Drinking Water
10. In agriculture